Virus that kills piglets plagues hog farmers

Higher prices for pork, changes to fair expected

1:33 AM,
Mar. 30, 2014

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Central Ohio farmers and fair organizers are working to prevent the spread of a disease that is killing piglets across Ohio and in at least 20 states.

"The porcine epidemic diarrhea virus had been in other countries, like England, for 30 years, but it had never been in the U.S.," said Stan Smith, Ohio State University Fairfield County agriculture extension agent. "Then we had our first confirmed case last May 17, and it has been spreading ever since."

The disease doesn't transfer to humans, doesn't affect other animals, and doesn't affect the quality of the meat, but it is deadly to piglets, ...